NASCAR Icon Bill Elliott to Compete in IROC Race at Heritage Invitational

The 70-year-old racing legend will join other NASCAR stars at the upcoming motorsports event.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott will compete in the IROC race as part of the Heritage Invitational on April 10 at the Ten Tenths Motor Club in Concord, North Carolina. Elliott, who last raced in the now-defunct Superstar Racing Experience in 2022, will join a lineup of other NASCAR legends such as Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch.

Why it matters

Elliott's return to motorsports at the Heritage Invitational will give fans a rare opportunity to see the 70-year-old racing icon compete alongside other NASCAR greats. As one of the most decorated drivers in Cup Series history, Elliott's participation adds significant star power and nostalgia to the event.

The details

Elliott, who won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 1988 and is 19th on the all-time wins list with 49 victories, last raced in the Superstar Racing Experience in 2022. He made a return to motorsports last month, winning a SVRA Vintage race at Sebring International Raceway in his son Chase Elliott's No. 9 Red Bull Pro Cup car.

  • The IROC race at the Heritage Invitational will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Elliott last raced in the Superstar Racing Experience in 2022.
  • Elliott made his return to motorsports last month, winning a SVRA Vintage race at Sebring International Raceway.

The players

Bill Elliott

A NASCAR Hall of Fame driver who won the Cup Series championship in 1988 and has 49 career Cup victories, making him 19th on the all-time wins list.

Jeff Gordon

A NASCAR legend and four-time Cup Series champion who will also be competing at the Heritage Invitational.

Kurt Busch

A NASCAR veteran and former Cup Series champion who will be part of the star-studded lineup at the Heritage Invitational.

Ray Evernham

The executive director of the Heritage Invitational and co-owner of IROC, who expressed excitement about Elliott's participation in the event.

Chase Elliott

Bill Elliott's son, who is the current NASCAR Cup Series champion and eight-time winner of the Most Popular Driver award.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Bill may have stepped away from full-time NASCAR racing in 2003, but he has remained a constant figure in motorsports and his competitive drive hasn't wavered. What a treat that fans will once again have the chance to see Awesome Bill strap in and put on a helmet alongside an absolutely incredible list of competitors as part of next month's event.”

— Ray Evernham, Executive director of the Heritage Invitational and co-owner of IROC

What’s next

The IROC race at the Heritage Invitational is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 2026, where fans will have the opportunity to see NASCAR legend Bill Elliott compete alongside other racing icons.

The takeaway

Bill Elliott's participation in the IROC race at the Heritage Invitational is a testament to his enduring passion for motorsports and will provide a rare chance for fans to see one of NASCAR's all-time greats compete against a star-studded field of drivers.